Majority Supports Birthright Citizenship, Reversing Historical Trends

The debate over birthright citizenship has ebbed and flowed throughout American history, with public opinion often shifting in unexpected ways. Historically, many Americans were opposed to granting automatic citizenship to children born in the United States to non-citizen parents. However, recent polls reveal a significant majority now favor keeping the long-standing policy of birthright citizenship.

In the late 19th century, opponents of birthright citizenship argued it could lead to an influx of undesirable immigrants, particularly from Asia. This xenophobic sentiment contributed to the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, which effectively barred Chinese immigration for decades. During this era, the idea of birthright citizenship was viewed with suspicion and even hostility by large segments of the American public.